Mechanism for forming split-d handles



' Dec. 8, 1931. E. WEBSTER MECHANISM FOR FORMING SPLIT D-HANDLES- Original Filed Dec. 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z I anoint 3511 i4 fla Dec. 8, 1931. E. WEBSTER 1,835.546

MECHANISM FOR FORMING SPLIT D-HANDLES Original Filed Dec. 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 111 v Qnwmtoz %?6 a 6mm Dec. 8, 1931. E. WEBSTER 1,335,546

. MECHANISM FOR FORMING SPLiT D- HANDLES Original Filed Dec. 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 W W o illlu $33 A GHQ/(MM? Dec.'8, 1931. L. E. WEBSTER MECHANISM FOR FORMING SPLIT D-HANDLES Original Filed Dec.. 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I 2 @Qmvewtoz 351;; Qbtomeq Q no Patented Dec. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES LEWIS EDMOND WEBSTER, OF WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA V MECHANISM FOR FORMING SPLIT-D HANDLES Original application filed December 4, 1928, Serial No. 323,630. Divided and this application filed November 28, 1930.

This invention, which is a division of my application filed December 4:, 1928, Serial No. 323,630, relates to improvements in apparatus for making split-D Wooden handles for shovels and other implements, that is to say, implement handles made from wooden stems split or sawed longitudinally at one end to provide bifurcated arms which are then spread apart and suitably shaped to receive a hand grip betweentheir outer ends and to provide an opening between the.v grip and the body ofthe stem of sufficient-width and length for convenientlysand comfortably receiving the hand of the user.

The method now generallyin use for the production of suchsplit+D wooden handles includes the following steps: A stem, square in cross-section, and of green or unseasoned wood, is turned accurately to size, rounded and saw-cut longitudinally at one end'to provide the arms which are'to be spread apart and shaped to receive the hand grip, and this end is then steamed to'further soften it. Green or unseasoned wood isnecessarily I used and the stem is thusfurther softened to sists of an inner mandrel or form member which enters the saw-cutslot and spreads the arm apart, and a casting consisting of two outer members which engage the outer faces of the arms and limit the separation or spreading thereof by the mandrel and also assist in otherwise shapingthe' arms; the space between the mandrel and the inner faces or walls of this casing being equal to the-thickness of thesoftened arms laterally.

The stem, still with the spreading and shaping clamp on the end thereof, is then taken to a hot room where it remains for about two days, for the purpose of partially drying the arms of the stem and setting them as to shape Then theclamp is removed from the stem and a rivetis passed through Serial No. 498,613.

beyond the saw-cut during the subsequent operations of applying the hand grip, etc.

Ferrules or caps are then applied to the outside of thefarms opposite the grip-receiving ends thereof and the hand grip is then placed between these ends of the arms and secured there by a rivet passing through these ferrules or caps and the arms and grip; these ferrules or caps sometimes having downward extensions along the outside of the arms for a short distance. p

The handles thus formed are then laid in a kiln or other suitable place for seasoning or hardening for about six months, at the end of which time they are inspected, and, on such inspection, those which are apparently suitable for marketing purposes are laidaside for the further operations .of sand-belting, painting, etc., while those which are unsuitable for marketing are discarded.

The number so discarded. after seasoning or drying has run as high as'25% of those placed in the kiln, this being due, among other things, to the breaking or splintering of the stems, as well as to distortion ofthe caps, ferrules or other metal parts, during the six months drying period.

In the case of those accepted as apparently suitable for marketing the rivets, caps,ferrules and other metal parts become loosened and the burred ends of the rivets exposed, because of shrinkage of the stems during the kiln-drying, so that the handles require retightening of these parts. This re-tightening operation materially increases the cost of manufacturing the handles and because of the dried condition of the handles when they are taken from the kilns, it has to be very carefully performed to avoid breakage of the handles. Nothwithstanding such care, however, breakage of the handles frequently occurs, with a further loss of handles running as high as 10%. 7

To these objections to this method of manufacturing split-D handlesI may add, first, that the long storage of the stems or handles for the drying or seasoning thereof represents a very large amount of mvested capital which is tied up or frozen, or, in other,

as for example, when thrown on the ground or otherwise carelessly treated by the user, this being true also as to split-D wooden handles generally, whatever method may have been employed in their manufacture.

The present invention provides handlemanufacturing apparatus. method which, with the handle manufacturing method used with it, overcomes these objections, as well others which need not be detailed here.

The handle produced by the present invention is one in which the wooden arms of the handle proper are encased in bendable metal (preferably of pressed steel) extending along and rolled or bent around and into intimate ripping contact with the stem and itsarms, rom'a point below the saw-cut in the former to the grip receiving ends of the latter.

The apparatus provided by the present invention is one in which a metal casing designed to become a permanent part of the handle is also utilized as the means for spreading and shaping the bifurcated ends of the stems to form the handle arms.

With this a paratus and the method used with it a preformed hollow casing of bendable metal, preferably with diverging arms of split-D shape and in two parts initially (one for each arm), is first mounted securely in a suitable support or forming die. The bifurcated end of a longitudinally saw-cut wooden stem, preferably of dried or seasoned wood and softened at its bifurcated end, by steaming, is then forced endwise into this casing by a bull-doser, and the casing (together with the stem which has been forced into it) is then removed from its support and placed in a kiln or other suitable place for drying. After this the metal of the casing is rolled or bent around and into intimate, gripping contact with the stem and arms, the hand grip being then inserted between the outer ends of the latter, as by riveting.

The preferred method and apparatus thus generally described includes other steps which will be later referred to, and, among them, the use of a retaining clamp applied to the two arms of the casing prior to the forcing into them of the bifurcated end of the stem and continuing there during the d rying of the handle; the function of this clamp being to prevent spreading and distortion of the casing and the wooden arms of the stem during the drying operation and before the bending or rolling operations aforesaid.

As a result of the improvements constituting the present invention there is provided, first, a split-D wooden handle which is much stronger and more durable than prior handles of this type and which will better withstand the rough and careless handling to which such handles are frequently subjected in use, and, second, apparatus for manufacturing the handles which is much more economical than previous apparatus, one of the advantages to which attention may be directed at this pointbeing that, with such apparatus, stems of seasoned wood may and preferably will be employed instead of the green or unseasoned wood necessarily used in prior methods, which, as before stated, has resulted in very serious losses from the production of defective handles and from the tying up of the capital invested in the manufactured handles during their drying period.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front view of the bifurcated end of a wooden stem suitable for use in the production of improved handle contemplated by my invention.

Figure 2 is a front view (partly broken away) of my preferred form of preformed tubular metal casing for forming and shaping the branches of the bifurcated end of the stem and for permanent application to it in accordance with the present invention, this casing having a split hub portion for engaging the stem below its saw-cut and flanged arms extending therefrom for spreading apart and shaping the branches of the stem.

Figures 3 and 4C are cross-sections of Figure 2, on the line 3 -3 and 4et respectively.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a forming die mechanism comprising upper and lower hinged die holders between which the metal casing for the handle is held while the bifurcated end of the handle stem is pushed into it, the upper die holder being shown as open and the lower one with the handle casing resting upon it and ready, on the closing of the die, for receiving the bifurcated end of the stem.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the forming die mechanism closed and locked and ready for the forcing of the bifurcated end of the stem into'the casing.

Figure 7 is a cross section of the forming die mechanism on the line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section thereof on the line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a View of the stem handle with its metal casing in the condition in which it leaves the forming die mechanism for drying of the stem and its arms and subsequent oper ations on the handle.

' tween its upper and lower; members.

Figure 13is across-section of the die'mechanism on'the line 13- 13 ofFigure 12.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure "13 butwith the upper member of the die moved downwardly toward the lower-member,

Figure 15 is a cross-section on the line 15-15 of Figure 12 showing means for drawing and bending the metal casing around and into gripping contact with the stem below its saw-cut.

Figure 16 is a-sim ilar View showing this operation completed. Figure 17 isa front viewjofthe handle after the operations portrayed by Figures Figures 18 and 19 are cross-sectionsthereofon the lines '18- 18and 1919 of Figure 17 ,and

Figure 20 1s afrontview of the handle completed by the riveting thereof to the stem and theriveting of .a hand grip at the ends of its arms.

Referring to-said drawings, IwilLfirst describe the handle manufacturing method used with the apparatus of thepresent invention and in setting forth the different: steps performed describedthe handle as its manufacture develops during these-steps.

As before stated, split-.D Wooden handles are manufactured from stems; generally like the stem A illustrated in Figure 1,"these stems being bifurcated longitudinally at one end, by saw-cutting, to provide two'branches 1, 2, which are-.to be spread apartinto approximately D-shape to provide for the :re-

ception of a hand grip between their outer ends and-also to providea spacebetween them of suitable width 'for the convenient passage of the hand of the user. i

The branches 1,2, ofthe stem shown in Figure 1 are milled on their inner faces near their outer orgrip-receiving ends to provide shoulders 3 for engaging correspondingshouldersin-the ends of the-hand'grip of the shovel so as to prevent turning .move'ment thereof, as later described.

Also,-as before stated, according-to'present practioeethe spreading apart and Shay ing Of'tllGtWOibliHlChGSil, 2, of a? bifurcated wooden stem is effected by the use of a clampmanentpart of the handle.

ing anechanism and a .bull-doser which .forces this end of thestem into theclamping mechanism. After this operation the handle,

withth-is clampingmechanism still upon it, is removed-to and storedina kiln or the like for, two'days or so .for partially drying it. The clamping mechanism is then removed, the hand grip, ferrules;&c. are then applied, and the handle then-stored ina kiln for along period of time for completely drying 1 the stem, such long drying-being'necessary because the stem is of ,greentor unseasoned wood.

According to the present invention, however, stems of dried or seasoned wood maybe, and preferably are, used 111 the manufacture of the handle, the use of wood in this condition effecting a very large savinginthe cost of manufacturing the handles.

According to the present invention also the operation of spreading apart the arm-forming branches 1, 2, of the stem into approximately .D-shape is effected by the use of a preformed and preferably D-shaped casing B (illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings) which is designed to become aper- This casing, which is'formed of bendable metal (preferably of pressed steel), has a two-part tubular hubportion 4 for embracing the stem A be low i.ts-saw-cut,and a pair of diverging tubulararms 5, 6, embracing the'arms 1a,'2a,

.formed from'the branches 1,.2, oft-he-stem. :T'wo contiguous edges of the hub are connected by a pair'of interlocking flanges-7, 8,its

other contiguous edges being unconnected and facing each other, as shown in Figure l. Each of the tubulararms 5, 6, has apair of intiu'nedflanges 9, 10, designed to embrace and engage the inner faces of the correspond- .ing arms 1a, 2a, of the stem A. These flanges extend from the. base of the saw-cut in the stem A toithe gripereceiving ends of the arms 5, 6, where-they'terminate inshoulders 11 which, when the arms 1, 2, and. the casing B are assembled,wi1l be in line with-the shoulders 3 on the former.

In the shaping of the branches 1,2,- of the stem A the casingvB is placed in a forming die mechanism C illustrated in Figures5 to8 and comprising upper and lower die holders 12,

113, hinged at 14 so that the upper holder may be swung upwardly from the lowerone as shown in Figure 5 and downwardly upon it as shown in Figures'G-S. Upper die holder 12 is provided with a pairof pivotally mounted latches 15, 16, connected at their upper ends by alink 17 and provided at their lower ends with notches 18, 19, for engagement with-pins 20, 21, on the lower die holder'13 so as to lock thetwoholders 12, 13, together during the operation of spreading apartandshaping the branches 1, 2, of the stem A. r

The lower die holder 13 has secured to it on its upper face an upwardly projecting inner forming die 22 equal in length to the distance from hub 4 to the shoulders 11 or the grip receiving ends of the arms 5, 6, of the casing B, this die 22 conforming widthwise' and lengthwise to the shape interiorly of said arms and to the separation between them, so that when the casing is laid upon the lower die holder 13 the side walls of this die 22 will engage the inner faces of thearms 5, 6, or rather the inturned flanges 9, 10, thereof, between the hub 4 and the shoulders 11.

The upper and lower-die holders 12, 13 have two pairs of co-acting retaining dies 25, 26, and 27, 28, respectively, and these dies are provided on their inner faces with curved recesses 29, 30, 31, 32, extending longitudinally of the dies and conforming lengthwise and crosswise to and (in the closed position of the members 12, 13) engaging the outer faces of the arms 5, 6, for the full length thereof.

As a result of this construction, when the two die holders 12, 13, of the die are closed and locked together the casing B is rigidly supported against bodily movement in any direction as well as against any movement by either of its arms 5, 6, relatively to each other or in any other direction, during the operation of forcing the bifurcated end of the stem A into andshaping its branches 1, 2, in the casing, which is as'follows:

The casing B is placed on the lower die holder 13 of the forming diem eehanism with the die 22 between its arms 5, 6, as shown in Figure 5. The upper die holder 12 is then swung downwardly over the die holder 13,

as shownin Figures 6, 7 andthe latches 15, and 16, moved into locking engagement with the pins 20, 21, through a handle 33 provided for such movement of the latches. Then by the use of a bull-closer (see Figure 6) the bifurcated end of a stem A (preferably of seasoned or dried wood, having its bifurcated end softened. as by steaming) is forced into the casing B'through a guiding bracket 35 secured to die holder-13 and provided with a guiding dog 36 entering the saw-cut in the end of the stem A so as to properly center or position its bifurcated end with relation to the casing arms 5, 6, which they are to enter, as shown inrFigure 6. As best shown in Figure 8, this dog 36 is povitally mounted at 37 in a slot 38 in the bracket 35 and held yieldin ly in its elevated or centering position by a spring 39, the dog being thus mounted so that when the saw-cut inthe stem has passed it, it will be swung downwardly out of centering position by the engagement with. it of the following part or body ofthe stem. As the bifurcated end of the stem A is thus :forced into the forming die its branches 1,

thus shaping the wooden arms 1a, 2a, of

the handle. Upper die member 12 is then raised for the removal of the handle.

- Beyond the upper or wide end of the die member 22, or, in other words, in line with the hand grip-receiving ends of the handle thus shaped or formed in the die mechanism C, there are provided two movable abutments 40, 41, adapted to enter the upper ends of the arms 5, 6, and to engage the upper ends of the wooden arms 1a, 211, on and above the shoulder 3. The purpose of such engagement is to resist and prevent inward or lateral displacement and distortion of these parts of the branches 1, 2, as the latter are forced into the arms 5, 6, of the casing B, which displacement or distortion would interfere with or prevent a proper fit, between the upper ends of-the handle, of the hand grip which is to be introduced between them as hereinafter described.

The abutments 40, 41 are caried by blocks 42, 43, movably mounted, by pins and slots 44, 45, in the lower die holder 13 of the die mechanism and are held normally, or in the open position of the holders 12, 13, in retracted and inactive position by a spring 46. They are moved outwardly to active or operative position, when the die mechanism is closed, by a h1g4? carried by the upper die holder 12 and which, engaging cam surface 48 on the inner ends of blocks 42, 43, as said die holder is moved downwardly onto holder 13, spreads these blocks and their abutments40, 41, outwardly.

The-handle thus shaped with the casing B as an integral, permanent part thereof, is then removed from the die mechanism C and dried in a kiln or other suitable place. If-seasoned or dried. wood be used in forming the handle, as I prefer to do, the time required for this drying operation will be very short and only necessary at all because of the softening of the bifurcated end of the stem preceding the shaping thereof, as before described. 7 I 7 After this drying has been effected the shaped handle is then ready for the other operations, which will presently be described.

Before describing these other operations I should call attention to another important feature of my invention, namely, means for preventing spreading or distortion of the handle after leaving the forming die and while in the drying kiln. The means provided for this purpose consists of a clamp D (best shown in Figures 9, 10) having a horizontal bar '50, depending legs 51 for engaging the inner faces or flanges 9, 10, of the casing arms 5, 6, and upwardly extending curved legs 52 engaging the outer faces of said arms. The legs 51 are adapted to fit in vertical recesses in the faces of the die 22, while the legs 52 are adapted to fit in vertical recesses in the curved recesses 29, 30, 31, 32, of the dies 25,26, 27,28, as

shown: in Figure 7, so'asto' enclose and engage the outer and: inner: faces of the armsv 5-, 6 70f the casing; B;

When theihandleis removed from the form- -ing:die: (Land during; the drying. of it, the

clamp Disretained in. position uponit (see Figure and will resist any tendency of the handle to become distorted from shrink,

age ofi'the wooden-arms 1a, 2a, or any other causez After-suchsdrying and before the final operations' of combining theca-sing B, arms 10;, 2a,- and stem'A', whichwill" now be described, the clamp Dis removed fromthecasing; B. I

These; final operations include the step of.

bendingror rollingthe metalof the. casing around and into 1 intimate gripping contact withrthe' woodenarms la, 2a, ofthe stem and the inner faces thereof, as well as with the zflrstem'itself fora short distance below its sawcut, this being; desirable in any event and necessary wherethebifurcated end of the.

stem has been. softened: before the shaping tions, comprisingupper and lower: die holders' 55,56. The; upper die holder 55 carries a punch 57 rigidly secured to it and, outside this'and enclosinggit, a floatingidie 58, yieldingly mounted in the holder 55=by springs 59. Thelower die holder 56 is provided with a. punch. 60. and a floatingdie 61 yieldingly mounted ini'the "holder '56 by springs 62; The punch 57 and floatingdie 58f,- and the punch 60 and floating; die 61, are counterparts of and register with each other as shown in Figures 13'a-nd- 14 where the die-mechanism isshown in open and closed positionsrespectivelyn The punches 57, 60, which are designed, on

the .closingoftthe die mechanism,;to enter: the

space between:the arms 5,- 6, of the casing.B

whichis-to be operatedupomare of slightly greaterwidth thanthatspace so thatas they enter-sit they will bendthe flanges 9, 10, of the: metal.- casing. downwardly and upwardly re spectively', and alsoainwardly against the inner faces-ofthe wooden arms=1a, 2a, of the stem A, asshown inFignre 14;. As inthe case of the die 22 of Figures58,these punches extendf'rom the hub 4,0.15Itl1 handle to the shoulders 11. onits arms 5, 6, or,in other words,i.not into til'fhillld: grip-receiving ends oftsaidnrms;

The: upper: and;v lowerxfioating .dies 58, 61. have curvedirecessess-65, 66,v which, on the movement: of the. die mechanis-mto closed position,engagezthescurved outer: faces of the V handle a1'ms 5',.6, aspartly sh'ownin Figure 13 andful'ly shown in' Figure; 14; ofthe draw ings.

y in thense andvopieratiorr of thi's die mechanismthe handle of Figures 9 (minus itsclamp D) is placeduponthe floating die 61.

. as shown inFigurelZ-i. The upper holder 55,

with its punch 57 and floating die 58,-1is then forced downwardly toward the lower die holder 56 by means of alsuitable press (not shown) con'nectedwitha stemv 67 carried by the dieholder 55. A s-the upper die member is thusmoved its floating: die 58 will engage floating die-61of-thelower die holder 56 and" these dies will be moved totheposition in which they are shown in Figure 14, with the handle arms5, 6, inthei-r recesses 65, 66.

As the dieholder 55 isthus moved the punch 57 thereon, and the punch 60 on the lower die holder 56, will enter the space be tween the arms 5, 6,0f thehandle and in doingso bend or roll the flanges 9, 10, of said arms downwardly and upwardly, respecv tively, and also inwardly against and in gripping. contact with the inner faces of the woodenarmsvla, 2a, of the handle, the metal casing in this operation being also drawn or stretched around said arms and therefore. into'lintimate contact with the outer faces thereof.

movedldo-wnwardly from the position shown in'Fi gure 13 to that shown in- Figure 1 1, this curling tool 69-, moving upwardly in the recess- 68, will. engage the. hub of the metal casing" and bend these free ends ofasaid casing upwardly into the wooden stem below the sawcut therein, asshown in Figure 16.

The upper die holder 55 is then raised and the handle removed. 1 r

The handlethus finished, as to the arms thereof, is shown in Figures 17-19. completed by riveting the hub t of-its metal casing. to the stem A (as at 75) below the saw-cut therein, and by connecting. a. hand grip 76- with the arms5',6, asshown in Figure 20. This isdone by springingorspreading the'arms 5, 6, apart and inserting the grip grip in the handle. lThe handle is then.

finally finished for the market inthe usual way, namely, byisand-belting painting,

The handle provided by improvements of the present invention has the advantage over previous split-D wooden handles of greater.

strength, and durability and. safety under all'conditions ofuse, because of theadditionl of the casing which not only adds to the strength of the: wooden arms'la, 2a, but pre-- sents a smooth; surface: for the hands? of 'the It is user and prevents injury to them by splintering or slivering or said arms.

The handle above described and formed by the mechanism herein claimed forms the subject matter of my application Serial No. 409,235, filed November 23, 1929, and 1s therein claimed, said application being a division of my application Serial No. 323,630, filed December 4, 1928, in which is claimed the herein described method of making split-D handles and other implements.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle from a wooden stem having a split, armsproviding end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below'th'em in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a hub portion embracing the stem below them, a die having a recess for receiving and supporting the casing and an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be forced endwise into the casing for the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle.

2. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a wooden stem having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a hub portion embracing the stem below them, the combination with a die having a longitudinal recess for receiving and supporting the casing and 7 an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be forced endwise into the casing for the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, of a temporary clamp having legs for engaging the inner and outer faces of the easing while the stem is being forced into the die and for removal with the handle after the forcing operation, the die being provided with vertical recesses for receiving the clamp legs and said die being adapted to be opened andclosed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle.

3. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a woo-den stem having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a twopart, longitudinal hub portion embracing the stem below them, a'die having a recess for receiving and supporting the casing, an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be'forced endwise into the casing for the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, and means for engaging and tightening the hub portion of the casing about the stem, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle.

4. In apparatus for forming a split!) handle with diverging arms from a wooden stein having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of means for bending the arms and hub portion of the casing around the stem and its arms after the removal of the handle, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle.

5. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a wooden stem having a split, armsproviding end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a hub portion embracing the stem below them, a forming die having a recess with diverging arms and conforming in shape and otherwise to said casing for receiving and supporting it during the handle-forming operation and an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem maybe forced endwise into the casing for the spreading apart of its arms by the casing and the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle when formed. I

6. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a wooden stem having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a hub portion embracing the stem below them, the combination with a forming die having a longitudinal recess with diverging arms and conforming in shape and otherwise to said cas ing for receiving and supporting it during the handle-forming operation and an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be forced endwise into the casing for the spreading apart of its arms by the casing and the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, of a temporary clamp having legs for engaging the inner and outer faces of the easing during the handle-forming operation and for removal with the handle when formed, the recess in said die being provided with vertical recesses for receiving said legs and said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle when formed.

7. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a wooden stem having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a twopart, longitudinally seamed hub portion embracing the stem below them, a forming die having a recess with diverging arms and conforming in shape and otherwise to said casing for receiving and supporting it during the handle-forming operation, an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be forced endwise into the casing for the spreading apart of its arms by the casing and the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the easing, and means for engaging and tightening the seamed portion of the hub, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle when formed.

8. In apparatus for forming a split-D handle with diverging arms from a wooden stem having a split, arms-providing end and for enclosing said arms and a portion of the stem below them in a preformed hollow casing of sheet metal having interiorly flanged arms embracing the stem arms and a hubportion embracing the stem below them, the combination with a forming die having a recess with diverging arms and conforming in shape and otherwise to said casing for receiving and supporting it during the handleforming operation and an opening leading into said recess through which the split end of the stem may be forced endwise into the casing for the spreading apart of its arms by the casing and the connection of said arms and part of the stem below them with the arms and hub portion of the casing, of means for engaging and tightening the seamed portion of the hub, and means for bending the arms and hub portion of the casing around the stem of its arms after the removal of the handle, said die being adapted to be opened and closed for the reception of the casing and for the removal therefrom of the handle when formed.

9. In forming apparatus for use in the production of a D-handle from a wooden stem with a split, arms-providing end, a support providing diverging curved mold walls for holding in preparatory position an armsproviding sheet metal casing and a wooden arms-providing stem with its arms located within the arms of said sheet metal casing, arm-shaping mechanism movable between said diverging mold walls in a range spaced therefrom cooperating therewith for exerting pressure on opposed metal arms portions against the wooden arms beyond the elastic limit of the metal of said casing arms, and a movable positioning member between the walls and spaced therefrom for entrance into the split in the handle to position the handle for shaping by said mechanism.

10. In forming apparatus for use in the production of a D-handle from a wooden stem with a split, arms-providing end, a support providing diverging curved mold walls for holding in preparatory position an armsproviding sheet metal casing and a wooden arms-providing stem with its arms located within the arm of said sheet metal casing, arm-shaping mechanism movable between said diverging mold walls in a range spaced therefrom cooperating therewith for exerting pressure on opposed metal arms portions against the wooden arms beyond the elastic limit of the metal of said casing arms, and a pivoted positioning member between the walls and spaced therefrom for entrance into the split in the handle to position the handle for shaping by said mechanism.

11. In forming apparatus for use in the production of a D-handle from a wooden stem with a split arms-providing end, a support providing diverging curved mold walls for holding in preparatory position an armsproviding sheet metal casing and a wooden arms-providing stem with its arms located within the arms of said sheet metal casing, and arm-shaping mechanism movable between said diverging mold walls in a range spaced therefrom including a wedge member cooperating therewith for exerting pressure on opposed metal arms portions against the wooden arms beyond the elastic limit of the metal of said casing arms.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

LEIVIS EDMOND WEBSTER. 

